Inkjet Printer Intermediate Tank Damping and Ink Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers using high viscosity ink face pressure loss issues in the ink supply pipe, leading to jetting defects and complexity in structure due to the need for sub-tanks and back pressure controlling pumps, and inaccurate detection of remaining ink in the tank, causing instability and inefficiency in image recording.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printer configuration with an intermediate tank having a damping function against pressure fluctuations, a liquid feeding pump, a remaining quantity detector, and a notifying section to control ink supply and alert for low ink levels, using a flexible damper membrane and sensors to manage ink flow and pressure, allowing for stable jetting and accurate ink replenishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sub-tank is installed near the recording head to reduce pressure loss, then ink supply stability is improved, but the carriage and apparatus size increase and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the damping function from a separate sub-tank component and integrates it into the ink supply pipe itself through a damping portion with elastic material. This eliminates the need for additional sub-tank components near the recording head, reducing carriage volume while maintaining pressure fluctuation absorption capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping portion is nested within the ink supply pipe structure, with the elastic material contained inside the pipe wall structure. This nested configuration allows the damping function to be incorporated without increasing the external dimensions of the ink supply system, thereby avoiding carriage size increase.
2Reliability
If a back pressure controlling pump is installed to prevent jetting defects, then ink jetting stability is improved, but the apparatus structure becomes complicated and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the back pressure control function from a separate pump mechanism and integrates it into the recording head structure itself through a communication chamber that communicates with the ink supply pipe. This eliminates the need for an additional back pressure controlling pump, simplifying the apparatus structure while maintaining jetting stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication chamber is merged with the recording head structure, combining the ink supply reception function and back pressure control function into a single integrated component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall apparatus structure.
3Loss of time
If a weight sensor is installed in the ink tank to detect remaining ink, then ink replenishment timing is improved, but the weight measurement accuracy deteriorates due to tank part weights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ink quantity detection function from weight measurement of the entire ink tank and relocates it to a damping membrane that directly responds to ink level changes. The damping membrane's displacement is detected by a sensor, providing accurate ink quantity measurement without the interference of tank structure weights.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection is performed locally at the ink-damping membrane interface where ink level changes directly affect membrane position, rather than measuring the global weight of the entire ink tank. This local detection method isolates the measurement from the weight of tank components, improving measurement precision.
4Loss of energy
If the diameter of the ink supplying pipe is increased to reduce frictional resistance, then pressure loss is reduced, but the apparatus design becomes difficult and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific section (damping portion) within the ink supply pipe that has expanded volume and elastic properties, while the rest of the pipe maintains standard dimensions. This localized modification reduces pressure loss through the damping section without requiring the entire pipe system to be larger, easing manufacturing and space constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters (volume and elasticity) of a specific section of the ink supply pipe to create a damping portion. This parameter change in a localized area reduces frictional resistance and pressure loss without requiring a complete redesign of the entire pipe system with larger diameter throughout.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces pressure loss, ensures stable image recording, and accurately detects remaining ink levels, preventing jetting defects and maintaining continuous operation by minimizing the need for complex structures and back pressure systems.
Implementation Method 1
one surface of the ink chamber has a damping membrane made of a flexible material and has an elastic member which supports the damping membrane at an initial position
Implementation Method 2
intermediate tank with damping function against pressure fluctuation for temporarily storing ink on the path of the ink supply pipe
Implementation Method 3
liquid feeding pump which pumps ink to the intermediate tank at a point between the ink tank and the intermediate tank
Implementation Method 4
inkjet printer for performing image recording using high viscosity ink... using a piezoelectric element or a heater for example
Implementation Method 5
using a piezoelectric element or a heater for example onto a recording medium
Implementation Method 6
inkjet printer using photo-curing type ink which is cured by light such as ultraviolet light... light is irradiated on the ink which has been deposited on the recording medium to thereby be cured and fixed on the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
Installed are intermediate tank 12 with damping function against pressure fluctuation for temporarily storing ink in a position within ink supplying pipe 9a which supplies ink from main tank 11 to recording head 7, liquid supplying pump 23 between main tank 11 and intermediate tank 12 for supplying ink to intermediate tank 12 and controller 25 actuating liquid supplying pump 23 to supply ink from main tank 11 to intermediate tank 12 when membrane surface detecting sensor 19 detects that the quantity of remaining ink in intermediate tank 12 is less than a prescribed one. When liquid supplying pump is actuated and no increase of quantity of remaining ink in intermediate tank 12 is detected, controller 25 judges that that there is no remaining ink in main tank 11 and a result of the judgment is notified by display section 28.